Just as the Philippines bans all air traffic in and out of the country, Spain, which has recognized seafarers as key workers in a move to ensure their movement through Spanish ports, has just legislated an Order to that effect.  «The purpose of this Order is to establish the documentation that the crew of the ships may provide to prove their condition and, in this way, facilitate the crossing of borders and their movement through Spanish territory, in order to ensure the provision of services of maritime transport.»

New data compiled by ICS and the International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC) has found that 150,000 seafarers are in need of crew change by 15 May.

This number is up by 50% from 100,000 when ICS first highlighted the problem with national governments and the G20. Continued inaction will see this number continue to rise as more seafarers require crew change.

The current situation risks the safety and mental wellbeing of seafarers. While the continued inability to rotate seafarers on and off ships poses a serious threat to the ability of ships to deliver vital cargo at a time when countries need it most.  Photo: Denys Yelmanov